Cost Comparison
Worksheet
This worksheet contains an itemized list of costs associated with living on and off campus. Pay special attention to the following points
before using the worksheet.
 Be honest with yourself when it comes to the cost of food. If you find yourself “adjusting” the monthly allowance in order to
achieve a lower total, you may be setting yourself up for a future budgeting nightmare. A nightmare in which you are forced to
choose between a healthy diet or paying your electric bill; or having a social life or taking care of those unexpected events(i.e.,
attending a friend’s wedding; paying a plumber, etc.) that tend to pop-up from time to time.
 Call the local utility providers about mandatory monthly service charges and hook-up or connection fees.
 Ask the owner of the property to give you the average cost of monthly utilities. If he/she is unable to do so, ask the current
residents what their lowest and highest utility bill were for each utility. If you divide the sum of the least and most expensive bills by
two for each individual utility, you should be able to get a rough estimate of the average monthly utility costs.
Economic Cost
Living On Campus
DeKalb Averages
Security Deposit (One Time)
Included in total cost
X 1 = $575
X1=
Electric Hook-Up Fee (One Time)
Included in total cost
X 1 = N/A
X1=
Gas Hook-up Fee (One Time)
Included in total cost
X 1 = N/A
X1=
Cable TV Hook-Up Fee (One Time)
Included in total cost
X 1 = $75
X1=
Internet Connection Fee (One Time)
Included in total cost
X 1 = $75
X1=
Water Hook-Up Fee (One Time)
Included in total cost
X 1 = N/A
X1=
Rent (Monthly)
Included in total cost
Food (Monthly Average)
Included in total cost
Electricity (Monthly)
Included in total cost
Gas (Monthly)
Included in total cost
Trash Removal (Monthly)
Included in total cost
Cable TV (Monthly)
Included in total cost
Internet Fee (Monthly)
Included in total cost
Water / Sewer (Monthly)
Included in total cost
$575X10 = $5,750
$575X12 = $6,900
$200X10 = $2,000
$200X12 = $2,400
$45X10 = $450
$45X12 = $540
$50X10 = $500
$50X12 = $600
$15X10 = $150
$15X12 = $180
$34X10 = $340
$34X12 = $408
$34X10 = $340
$34X12 = $408
$50X10 = $500
$50X12 = $600
X10 =
X12 =
X10 =
X12 =
X10 =
X12 =
X10 =
X12 =
X10 =
X12 =
X10 =
X12 =
X10 =
X12 =
X10 =
X12 =
$50X10 = $500
$50X12 = $600
Apartment
Miscellaneous (Phone)
$
Miscellaneous
$
$
$
Miscellaneous
$
$
$
Miscellaneous
$
$
$
Standard Double = *$8,790/yr.
Total Cost
Double-as-Single = *$10,660/yr.
Suite with Bath = *$10,700/yr.
Stevenson Single = *11,060/yr.
$
10 Month Lease = $11,255/yr.
 Early termination fee?
10 Month Lease =
 Early termination fee?
12 Month Lease = $13,361/yr
12 Month Lease =
*Rates based on the 2010-2011 academic year contract. The Gold Meal plan and ResNet Access & Support fee are included.
9/2010